Share your views: Consulting Canadians on a potential free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates

Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2024 and enjoy strong bilateral relations supported by growing trade and investment ties. In 2024, total bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the UAE reached $3.4 billion, with Canadian exports totalling $2.6 billion, an increase of 24% from 2023. Canadian imports from the UAE totalled $800 million. Bilateral commercial services trade totalled $388 million in 2023. In 2024, Canadian Direct Investment Abroad in the UAE reached $242 million and UAE foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada reached $8.8 billion.

On November 20, 2025, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the intent to launch negotiations toward a potential free trade agreement, which would be titled a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). In anticipation of commencing CEPA negotiations in 2026, Global Affairs Canada is inviting Canadians to submit their views, reflections, and priorities with respect to enhanced trade and investment with the UAE, and the potential impacts and opportunities of a bilateral CEPA, via a Canada Gazette notice.

Who is the focus of these consultations?

The Government of Canada invites any interested stakeholder to provide input, including from:

• the Canadian public
• provincial, territorial and municipal governments
• businesses of all sizes, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
• industry associations
• academics
• civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations
• labour unions
• Indigenous peoples
• women, 2SLGBTQI+ stakeholders and community groups representing diverse experiences
• students and youth
• other interested Canadian stakeholders

It is important to have a breadth and diversity of views represented through this consultation process.

Key questions for discussion

The Government of Canada welcomes your views on CEPA negotiations between Canada and the UAE. Topics we seek input on include, but are not limited to:

• Goods of export or import interest that would benefit from the expedited or phased-in removal of tariffs and other barriers, as well as any import sensitivities.
• Non-tariff barriers, technical barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
• Trade in services, specifically sectors and activities of export interest for Canadian service providers.
• Promotion of environmental protection and conservation.
• Promotion of labour rights and cooperation.
• Support and advancement of traditionally underrepresented groups in trade, including women and Indigenous Peoples.
• Opportunities to advance transparency, anti-corruption and responsible business conduct, and to promote and protect good governance, the rule of law, and human rights.

The input gathered through this process will be used to inform Canada’s CEPA negotiations with the UAE.

Privacy notice

Please read the privacy notice statement carefully prior to sending a written submission.

Related links

• Canada Gazette: Consulting Canadians on a potential free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates
• Canada-United Arab Emirates relations
• Canadian Trade Commissioner Service for the UAE
• Export Development Canada’s UAE profile

Contact us

Canada-UAE Trade Consultations
Global Affairs Canada
Trade Negotiations Division
111 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1N 1J1
Email: TCE-Consultations@international.gc.ca